Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees Betting Pick & Prediction for 5/22

MLB game preview

The Tampa Bay Rays take on the New York Yankees in an MLB regular season game. The Rays lead the AL East with a 33-15 record and are on a four-game winning streak. The Yankees hold second place in the division with a 30-21 record but have lost their last two games.

The game will be played at Yankee Stadium, an outdoor field, on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 7:05 PM. The weather is expected to be mild with a light breeze under overcast clouds. Tampa Bay’s Nick Martinez, who has a 4-1 record and a 1.51 ERA, will pitch against New York’s Gerrit Cole, who has not yet pitched this season.

Tampa Bay Rays Team Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays have shown strong performance in their recent games. They have won four out of their last five games, with impressive victories against the Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins. In their most recent game against the Orioles, the Rays won 5-3, thanks to solid contributions from Hunter Feduccia and Jonathan Aranda.

The Rays’ batting lineup has been consistent. They rank third in batting average at .261 and fourth in on-base percentage at .332 for the season. Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz have been standout hitters, with Caminero leading the team in home runs with 13.

On the pitching side, the Rays have an earned run average of 3.59, ranking sixth. Nick Martinez is the probable starter for the next game against the New York Yankees. Martinez holds a 4-1 record with a 1.51 ERA this season, making him a key player to watch.

Rays vs Yankees Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees
  • Venue: Yankee Stadium, New York, NY
  • Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Rays Moneyline +130, Yankees Moneyline -156, Rays Runline +1.5 (-163), Yankees Runline -1.5 (+137), Total Over 8.0 (-107), Total Under 8.0 (-114)

New York Yankees Team Preview

The New York Yankees have struggled in recent games. They have lost three out of their last five games. The team has faced tough competition from the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets.

Despite the losses, the Yankees’ batting lineup has shown potential. Ben Rice leads the team with 16 home runs and a .288 batting average. Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge have also contributed with their power at the plate.

On the pitching side, the Yankees have a strong team ERA of 3.31, ranking fourth in the league. Carlos Rodón and Cam Schlittler have been solid on the mound. Gerrit Cole is expected to make his season debut against the Tampa Bay Rays.

BTB Betting Pick

The Yankees are favored with a moneyline of -156. They have a strong home run record, leading the league with 73 home runs. The Rays have a lower batting average and face a tough Yankees pitching staff. The Yankees’ pitching has a better ERA and batting average against. The pick is for the Yankees to win straight up.

The total for the game is set at 8.0. The Yankees have a high slugging percentage, while the Rays have a lower one. Both teams have strong pitching, with the Yankees ranked 4th in ERA. Given these factors, the projected score is Yankees 5, Rays 3. The recommendation is to take the under 8.0.